Kent Brantly

Kent Brantly

0Kent Brantly is an American medical doctor who gained international attention in 2014 when he contracted the Ebola virus disease while serving as a missionary in Liberia. He was the first American to return to the United States for treatment of the disease.

Early life and education

Brantly was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised in Texas. He attended Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, where he earned a degree in Biblical Text. He then attended Indiana University School of Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree.

Career

After completing his residency in Family Medicine at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, Brantly and his family moved to Monrovia, Liberia, where he served as a medical missionary with Samaritan's Purse. In Liberia, he served as the medical director for the Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) Hospital.

Ebola outbreak

In 2014, during the West African Ebola virus epidemic, Brantly contracted the Ebola virus. He was evacuated to the United States and treated at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the first person infected with Ebola to be treated on American soil. Brantly received an experimental treatment known as ZMapp, which was later reported to have likely saved his life.

Post-Ebola work

After recovering from Ebola, Brantly has continued to advocate for global health issues. He has testified before the United States Congress and met with multiple U.S. Presidents to discuss the importance of a robust response to global health crises.

Personal life

Brantly is married and has two children. He is a devout Christian and has stated that his faith played a significant role in his work and recovery.

See also

• Ebola virus disease
• Samaritan's Purse
• ZMapp